Show Us Your Roof!
- Thread starter Spare_Mag_Mike
- Start date
Mtnbiker80
New member
I really, really wanted a roof deck for sitting up there for sunsets (and shading the roof) so I built this on top of my flatline rack. I had a series of aluminum panels all designed out in CAD and even quoted locally for about $1,100 including laser cutting but decided to try it out with simple 1/2" pine first. so far it has worked really well and I believe only added around 80 lb total.
sidebar question about 'shading' the roof: I debated internally about the effectiveness of wood versus aluminum at reducing the heat load on my roof in direct overhead sun. I believe the wood works very well and even in direct sun the roof surface is cool. Would 3/16" aluminum panels be as effective or would the aluminum radiate the heat downward to the roof surface and lessen the cooling effect? The roof panels are probably about 3" off the roof surface. Any thoughts?
sidebar question about 'shading' the roof: I debated internally about the effectiveness of wood versus aluminum at reducing the heat load on my roof in direct overhead sun. I believe the wood works very well and even in direct sun the roof surface is cool. Would 3/16" aluminum panels be as effective or would the aluminum radiate the heat downward to the roof surface and lessen the cooling effect? The roof panels are probably about 3" off the roof surface. Any thoughts?
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Rocksnsalt
There Can Be Only ONE
I’d guess the white paint on your pine planks is huge for minimizing heat gain, and maybe the pine takes a bit more time than aluminum to radiate heat down with pine having a small R value.
Maybe a bit of a gap between each plank would help cooling through ventilation further.
TransitVansit
Member
Kinda hard to tell from this angle, is that a 170ext?
Can you tell me the dimensions of the panels and other items up there?
Yep, it’s a 170 extended with 2 160 watt panels and 2 200 watt panels and a 50 watt panel and starlink at the rear with a 100 watt panel at the front of the rack.
rafski
Well-known member
For anyone using these 8020 mounts:
This is after a year of use:
Today I rebuilt it, doubling them and using better bolts:
Point here: check your roof - there may be surprised that need attention. Ideally I would like a better solution, but will see if the panels have issues by then.
This is after a year of use:
Today I rebuilt it, doubling them and using better bolts:
Point here: check your roof - there may be surprised that need attention. Ideally I would like a better solution, but will see if the panels have issues by then.
Thanks. what do you think about the causes for ECOTRIC to break after a year? was it due to weak bolts only? Can you put a link to the new better bolts you use?
@rafski
@rafski
rafski
Well-known member
Honestly, the alu they used is pretty cheap and thin. I didn't install a bolt into the middle of the 8020 - this would move the pressure - but the other factor is the UV night, and my other three mounts have been deformed from the stresses.
I figured with a sandwich, dual mount - then they should hold up for more than a year and hopefully the solar panels won't crack by then from some rock. Bolts were fine, I replaced the included ones with stainless steel hardware - feels more solid now.
Point here is: check your roof routinely !!!
filmcan99
Well-known member
Best to avoid that type of tower bracket with the slot for the end cap in it. That slot weakens the bracket right at the point that needs strength. There is a different style tower bracket designed so that the 8020 extends out as far as desired. That different style bracket doesn't have the slot or end cap. Been working great for well over a year now with Solaria PowerXT 400 watt, 51V panel. Did 60 miles of heavy washboard roads last June with no issues. See my build thread in the signature below for more details
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filmcan99
Well-known member
It's possibly because they're knock-offs, but more importantly because of the slot design makes them much weaker (see my post #32). You can buy knock-offs of the no-slot stronger design, but it's only $10 cheaper than Hein. So it's a no-brainer to go with Hein's brackets, and have much higher quality.
Hein's brackets with Stainless Steel H/W for $85:
Direct Mount Towers for Sprinter Vans: Easy Solar Panel Install - DIYvan
Easily mount solar panels to your High Roof Sprinter' van with our direct mount towers. Kit comes complete with all needed hardware. Get yours today! 🌞
diyvan.com
Knock-off brackets with galvanized H/W that will rust for $75:
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GP1
Active member
I have a FVC low pro rack and and want a less expensive platform option.
Can you share your strategy for covering the large gaps between the cross bars? How did you mitigate any sag in the wood boards especially in areas spanning longer distances.
(Sure, I could add more cross bars)
Also any photos of hardware and you you affixed the wood to the aluminum?
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filmcan99
Well-known member
What do you run the A/C units on?
Kajtek1
1922 Ford T. No OBD
The white one is 120V, the 2nd is HVAC unit run by engine.
DonSilvio
2021 Sprinter 170" 4x4
How much solar is that? I think I need to do this kind of arrangement, with Maxxair Deluxe and Dometic RTX2000. which A/C is this?